Wow, this thread is a mess xD

Anyway... My 2 gil on the matter:

I don't think that Eureka is awful. As far as a type of content goes. An isolated area with a self contained story and progression system. Not inherently bad.

I think the major pitfall for Eureka was how it was implemented. Things like how it's excruciatingly painful to try and do anything solo because everything is a massive health sponge. Then the whole focus on NM farming for a majority of resources (Which you can't get by chaining kills even if you were able to do that reasonably solo) which not only gets repetitive fast, but also again, punishes solo play (As it's harder to get contribution especially if you make a mistake and get one-shotted by the NM and no-one res's you 'cause you're not in their party) as well as smaller groups.

Basically, the entire thing is too heavily focused on "Get into FATE train" to have a decent speed at which you progress. Both for levels and also the items you need to upgrade your gear, as well as the other little things you can obtain from Eureka.

Having FATE trains exist and be viable, is not a problem. I like to do some trains now and then. But this content is ONLY FATE trains, all day, every day. Which just isn't pleasant.

If enemies weren't so bloated in HP so that solo/smaller party grinding was not abysmal as well as having alternate means to gathering resources (Heck, I'd even settle for Daily quests if it meant I could progress, albeit slowly, without too much investment and speed things up with FATE trains when I feel like putting more effort into it), then I don't think Eureka would be so bad. Basically, allowing it to be more inclusive and more varied.